Anbernic RG ARC: Best for Fighting Games

[@wylelias]

Really wish it could Dreamcast and Saturn. As a sega kid, all there systems hold spots in my heart.

[@tuluse789]

saturn especially. DC would need a thumb stick to feel good

[@oscarlee5697]

According to Tech Dweeb, this can play around 80% of Saturn's library and 50% of Dreamcast's library. Joey didn't even use the Android side, I don't know how he can review a product by just using half of it's features.

[@chrisw8069]

Remember he didn't like Sega.

[@achirasilva2567]

I'm looking forward to this mainly because of its ergonomics and it looks like it is very comfortable on hand to play for long hours. Unlike my 353vs where I have to grab the handheld in an awkward position to play and it basically cramps my hand if I play for too long.

[@Ashitaka0815]

About the pricing: it's only slightly more expensive than the 35XX Plus, bigger screen, better battery, 2 additional buttons and just as powerful... And I see no problem playing the same games way more comfortable with better controls. If all that is not worth the 14$, I don't know... Except you consider the 35XX Plus as too expensive as well.

[@borf42]

I've ordered one. I did it mostly as I wanted to try playing Sega games with a proper 6 button setup. I do wish it had better Saturn and Dreamcast support though. Here's to hoping for a more powerul chip with good Linux drivers!

[@michaelbenny659]

Thank you for putting up the specs and not reading them off

[@Metal-Josh]

So, it’s for a guy like me. I’ve been watching out for this guy since that leak of the concept art leaked. So glad it became real. Asides from missing the analog sticks, I’m liking what I see and hear about this. This, and the RG 353P (the android dual boot one)

[@JiggityJiggity]

2:31 that's actually really cool

[@Matucks]

I assume 2024 will have excellent chipsets to support later systems flawless considering the rate tech is evolving

[@dark2deeds]

if it could do saturn games id buy in a flash but as it is not bothered

[@dashe_8989]

I have one, it runs Saturn well enough in the Linux OS. I posted a comment here describing how to set it up correctly. Like all emulators some games don't run well, but most of my favorites are fine. All of the CPS2 Capcom games run well in FinalBurnNeo, so even if you can't get a Saturn rom working, you have that option too.

[@mattdavis9601]

I love Sega. I was very interested in the Anbernic Arc until I found out just how underpowered it is for the money. I liked Genesis too - "Superman where are you now, when everything has gone wrong somehow"... wait; wrong Genesis - but not for $100 in the year 2023, or even the $80 commanded by the S version. Like you said in the review, it fills a niche. Unfortunately that niche is one that I'm not a part of. I need something with enough power to be more general purpose. I wish Anbernic had never done the S version and treated the D version of the Arc as an extension of the RG405 family. The T618 + a couple of low profile analog inputs (either sliders or countersunk sticks) where the speaker holes are now would've made this a 9/10 value-handheld that does for Sega-stans what the RG405V does for DMG enthusiasts or the RG405M does for absolute Chads. Analog triggers for Dreamcast racers would've made it a 10/10. Right now it's maybe a 5 at best and the shape, superior Sega-esq D-pad, and six honest to goodness face buttons are doing all the work to get it that high, in my opinion. Now, people might say, "Well, uh, you're wrong because that'd make it too bleeping expensive!" However; I'd like to point out that the RG405V is currently only $20 more than this Arc is while having a much nicer SoC, a fan to cool said SoC, a much bigger battery, and dual sticks. I get that's a sale price; but, I highly doubt Anbernic is losing money at that price point, or they would've priced it higher. Maybe we'll get an Arc Pro next year with these revisions. Maybe we won't. The only thing I know for sure; every handheld Anbernic makes would be bettered by using this D-pad and finding a way to add two extra face buttons. To wrap up; I just want to say thanks for the honest review, Joey. Both you and Aish from Retro Handhelds took your time to get your respective reviews of the Arc out and; honestly, I think y'all's two reviews + your tutorial the other day were easily the best Arc coverage of the bunch.

[@Ashitaka0815]

Well the RG351V is 2$ more and aside from having an analog stick, it's worse in every aspect. Shure its much older, but still sold at that price, you might think the would at least drop the price after all this time.

[@retrohandhelds]

You done did it! Best intro

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Aw shucks.

[@Pridetoons]

The next Retro Gaming miracle is bringing back the Neo Geo Pocket D-Stick. 😁

[@Tacquito]

I really want one but I can’t justify the cost. Maybe I’ll scoop one up on the secondary market sometime next year. Joey likes fighters now 😮! Soul Calibur with Taco 🌮

[@dadou193]

you say it's expensive and that there are "other options" but at this price point (around 80$ for the basic linux) for a big screen like this one, i can't think of other options that beat this device. What device with a big screen like this + similar performance + good ergonomics exist at this price point (80$)? Pretty sure there aren't any. Well I actually ordered a RG353PS around this price and I am waiting it in the mail BUT the screen won't be as big- I wish it was big like this one.

[@chrisw8069]

RG ARC is a Analog stick (or 2) and Analog Triggers away from perfection. I hope they make a plus model in the future with hardware that can handle Dreamcast and Sega Saturn.

[@lordgeyik]

The interference noise is not specific to your device unfortunately

[@korryramone]

Bought it purely for the form factor, and my rg351v has been more trouble than it's worth. This will replace it.

[@InitialEII]

Great review! Any idea how to get thumbnails to work? Seems you have to do it manually and it just seems to just not work even though you select the correct directory. Really a shame if it can’t be done!

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

I gave up trying, lol unfortunately

[@InitialEII]

Great to know! I can stop trying too now! 😂

[@dean_dv]

Great video, thanks Joey. The 405m screen had an issue with oversharpening in Android, does the Arc screen have the same problem?

[@Ashitaka0815]

The Screen itself has no issues at all, the problem software only and is not present when using a custom android firmware. Don't know if Ambernic worked around that but didn't heard about it in any review so they most likely fixed it. Would say Linux is the way to go on this device anyway...

[@pyroyuy]

I hope that they come out with the six button with the joystick so I can emulate 64 very well.

[@CarlosAlberto-sq4ke]

In terms of ergonomics, performance and operating system, which would you recommend, RG353PS or RG-ARC S?

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

Both are great.

[@Pridetoons]

Both are great however I'd argue the RG353P is more versatile.

[@CarlosAlberto-sq4ke]

@@Pridetoons What is the most versatile way?

[@justarandomguy2126]

​@@AustenValentinetotally agree! Hope they release a 4 inches version of it, would be the perfect handheld for me!

[@qbyrd21]

Lmao Russ I get it 😂 def made me chuckle. It’s really a thing tho

[@TONBOX777]

Can it play Marvel vs Capcom 2 (Dreamcast) at full speed without frame skiping? Thanks.

[@cragui2002]

It plays all Saturn fighters, beat’’‘em ups and shooters I think that was their intend here

[@NeoSpartan117]

Great video! Also not a Sega kid, but do love the option to play and emulate those games with a more authentic experience. Feels like a big miss they could throw some more and joy stick in to make systems above PS1 more playable (especially Saturn).

[@Pridetoons]

Both the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo D-Pads are the best D-Pads of all time.

[@Rockysbeats]

can it run fightcade?

[@Jolly-Green-Steve]

this needs unisoc tiger t618

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

I may have missed this in the video but are you able to play ps1 games with enhanced resolution?

[@dashe_8989]

Yes I just tested that out in Duckstation. The screen is only 640x480 so its only 2x the PSX, but thats more than enough to clean it up and seemed to run with no obvious drawbacks. You have to enable it manually though.

[@misterpro7903]

Such a shame that all other handhelds have 4 buttons and a crappy Nintendo d pad

[@rieg3000]

6 buttons does not work. Specifically the “Z” and “C” buttons. not sure why no one mentions this in the review, everyone just press 1 or 2 buttons..doing “ hadoukens” smh.

[@JoeysRetroHandhelds]

All 6 buttons work.

[@SP95]

Sega fans being a niche is the ultimate humiliation 😂

[@Ashitaka0815]

Nah I'm fine, I always knew I'm better than the rest😋